The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-03-24
rhe aoyarnor,s Message.


Lee, communicated to the extra session OF
the Legislature which convened on the
10Th. 1t states the various subjects which,
in his judgment, call for legislative con
The debt question is presented
but the recommendations be
makes are not of sufficient force OF practl-
cal Importance to give assurance that any
thing really beneficial, as to this matter,
will result from the deliberations OF the
Legislature. His invocation to respect
the decisions of the courts-to observe the
inviolability of contracts, followed by the
recommendation of a measure directly an
tagonizlng this idea, expose inexcusa0le
inconsistency, or confusion OF thoughts,
which must necessarily unfavorably I'M
press the public mind. The Governor
should know that the legislation he sug-
gests on this point, if enacted, would be |,
directly in the face of the recognized SUI !
premacy of the Constitution, as well as |
the decisions of the courts. 1t could have
no other effect than to further complicate
the already interminably complicated debt
question place the State in the position
of attempting to nullify fundamental law
arrest supreme judicial determinations
expose the State to continued unfriendly
criticism, without effecting anything in
the direction of impairing the tax-paying
power of the coupon, or mitigating the
embarrassments which environ the Com
monwealth.
The further recommendation that
Commission be appointed, restricted in
its powers to a simple reaffirmation OF the
| Riddleberger bill. as an on-clad, Immoya-
BILE and infallible statement of what the
State will do, for the creditors to consider
through like commission, has neither the
art of diplomacy nor the sagacity OF
craftsmanship in it. 1t would have been
far more creditable and less obnoxious to
the suspicion of bombast. had the Govern
or bluntly stated that the Riddleberger
| bill was the infallible conclusion of the
Commonwealth, which does not admit of
| question. and that the appointment OF
commission by which.it would he admitted
that there were grounds for conference
and compromise, could not be entertained
at all. To appoint commission and strip
it of all power or discretion, except to re-
fleet the debatable views of the Governor,
would be formality that would not COM
mend itself to sensible people, nor could
properly equipped men be induced to &C
cept any such meaningless distinction
| r., fLo ha n
ducement to meet it, nor would they, I'M
less in simple courtesy and respect to the
Commonwealth.
There are grounds of compromise, con-
sistent with the condition of the revenues
| of the States and justice to the creditors.
without imposing additional tax-burdens
upon the people, but which cannot be ap-
preached in the spirit of the Governor s
, message. in the expectation that anything
e practical would be the result. So far as
r the Governor is concerned, he has closed
: the doors to conference. 1t is left
with the Legislature to improve the occa
e sion to suggest something feasible, look
e ing to a frank friendly and honest compar
G lSOu VioNo Will uAiO OehSA PosAoAeo w oAA>
: controversy. 1t is only thus that solu
d ton of the grave difficulties which con-
t front us, and the relief of the State from
3 the embarrassments which hedge her, cal
: be reached. 1t should not be assumed
j. that the creditors have no rights excep
!, those the Governor may choose to recog
9 nize-that the adjudication of the courts
n are without force except as they may con
d form to partizan exigencies, and that tn
d obligations of law are not to be respected
# unless party caucus should resolve tia
:. it will promote party success to do SO.
r The Governor has not marked out lint
). of legislation that the law-making powe
9 of the government can safely pursue. III
l. has not measured Up to the demands of th
# situation, nor does he seem to comprehent
j the formidable nature of the difficulties
: which confront the body that be has con
n vened in extraordinary session. His mes
Q sage is disappointment. 1t is weak, in
n consistent, contradictory, devoid of fresh
n ness ard originality, and will be of littl
s service to the Legislature in guiding it to
}. wise and satisfactory CONCLUSION as j
e affects the paramount question that is nov
Q engaging, as well as depressing, the public
l. mind.